Cotton-preparing machine



July 1, 1930. E. T. WUEST CdTTON PREPARING MACHINE Filed May 19, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 1, 1930. T.'wuEsT COTTON PREPARING MACHINE Fi'led May 19, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 1, .1930

UNITED STATES 1 ELMER T. WUEST, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO COTTON-PREPARING MACHINE Application filed May 19,

This invention relates to a device for use in the manufacture of felt, batting. and'the like and has for its principal object the provision of a simplified structure wherein one device accomplishes the operations heretofore requiring several machines.

Another object is to provide a device of thiskind wherein fewer parts than were formerly used are arranged in .a novel manis ner to the end that the desired results are attained in a different manner.

Another object is to provide a. mechanism which is compact in structure, and which operates with greater efficiency than heretofore known devices both in production and in the quality of the product.

Such inventions as are disclosed herein and are not claimed herein form part of divisional application Serial 130,220, filed Feb- 0 ruary21, 1930. Y

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a device showing the invention, part being .broken away and part being? shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental side view of the device, some of the parts being represented diagrammatically.

Fig. 3 is a view, similar to Fig. 2 but showing a possible modification of the device of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a view Fig. 1. r

Fig. 5 is a fragmental detail ofpart of the device in one position. 7

- Fig. 6 is a view of the same part in another position.

In the manufacture of batting or soft felt from cotton and otherfibrous materials there is commonly used a preparer for separating or loosening the larger masses of the fibers.

loosened fibers from the preparer and delivers regulated quantities to the so called Garnett machines which arrange the fibers in sheet like form after which such sheets are folded by other mechanism to provide a layer of cotton batting.

:spurs or teeth 20 extend in the opposite ditaken on line 4.-4l of A feeder device then receives the 1927. Serial No. 192,759.

In the device of the present invention the preparer, feeder and Garnett machines are replaced with a simpler combination ofelements which performs the same work in a better manner and in less time than is possible with the other machines.

By-reference to Fig. 1 it will be noted that a suitable base 10 supports a casing 11 which comprisesside walls 12, a front wall 13 and a rearwall 14E which is suitably formed to extend about certain of the rolls of the device. The casing 11, which may beopen at its top, has a vertical transverse partition 15 extending betweenwalls 12 and an inclined baffle or flange 16 extending from front wall 13 thereby forming. a hopper chamber 17 within the casing. As will be noted in Fig. 2 a pair of rolls 18 and 19 close the space between the ends of partition 15 and baffle 16 so that cotton from the bale will remain in hopper chamber 17 so that-it may be separated by the rolls 18 and 19. Roll 19 may be termed a picker roll and roll 18 may be termed an agitator roll. The rolls 18 and 19 are provided with rows of sharp spurs indicated diagrammatically by the reference numeral 20. The rolls l8 and 19 are arranged for rotation in the same direction and the points of 8O rections, so that the adjacent sides of said rolls, move relatively in opposite directions.

The pointed ends of roll 19 move forwardly into the mass of cotton in the hopper, while the cotton-mass slides off the pointed ends of the threads on roll 18. In other words, the teeth'on said rolls function in relatively reverse manner, in one case the points are foremost and in the other case the points are rearmost as they are carried through the fiber mass. This relation of the teeth on the rolls prevents the drawing of large masses of the cotton from the hopper into the rolls so that the roll 19 may efficiently separate the fibers from the mass and deliver them in fi1m-like stream to main cylinder 21 which rotates in'the same direction as the rolls 18 and 19. A roll 22 operates adjacent the circumference of roll 21 but in a direction oppositegthereto so that adjacent teeth 20 on this roll and the cylinder move in the same direction. A roll 23 which is also provided with teeth co-operates with cylinder 21 and roll 22 for directing the fibers in sheet like arrangement between the cylinder and discharge roll 24. Discharge roll 24 rotates in a dimotion opposite to the direct-ion of rotations)! aylin er 21 so that the fiber is carried between the lower periphery of the dis- In charge roll and curved bottom 25 of casing .11. A rake or comb 26, provided with a plurality of teeth 27, is mounted for rapid reciprocation adjacent the periphery of discharge roll 24 exteriorly o the casing. The

15 means for vibrating the rake 26 may comprice a shaft 28 upon which are pivotally mounted a plurality of arms 29 which carry Lthbraka26 at their free ends. A suitable cam 30 maybe rovided with a pin 31 which '9 extends throng a slot 32 in arm 29, rapid rotation of the cam 30 serving to effect rapid rociprbcation of the rake 26. The re'ci rorake 26 serves to separate the 'ber from discharge roll 24 and to permit it to l as drcp upon asuitable conve or belt 33.

It will be understood t at the device is a power actuated and that the direction of rotationef theseveral rolls and the cylinder heefi'eeted through a suitable gear train outed enerally by the reference charace.roll 19 is slightly greater in wdiameter than roll 18 and therefore has hers than was heretofore possible with the t Garnett machine and preparer. The rates of speed of the rolls are substantially as a follows: Roll 19 approximately 975 R.P.M.;

1 Hill 18 approximately 1175 R.P.M.; roll or "cylinder21 approximately 270 R.P.M.

g In 3 there is shown a possible modifled an simplified form of device wherein 5 a roll such as 19, provided with the customalr].mtl1 20 is used in conjunction with.

.asmooth roll 35. This very simple mechanism is effective for thoroughly dividing f of cotton direct from the bale so that atit may be handled by pneumatic means for upholstery casings and the like. From the foregoing it will be noted that y lwthe devioeof this invention occupies a minimum of floor space and that it eliminates sat-hapreparer and feeder heretofore used in 1 con'unctionwith Garnett machines. It will be rthcr noted that the device of the invcntlon performs its work with a lesser numwsber of parts 'thanare found in the Garnett no and at the same time accomplishes .tlier d prations of the entire group of maiith greater efliciency and with greatw crapetd. The increased efficiency is believed .to be due to the factthat the action of rolls 1 seiwc e to keep the mass of cotton M in a state of agitation which in effect is equivalent to sus ending said mass in contact with the r01 5 while the fibers are being separated therefrom. a

In the o erative device produced and embodying t e invention disclosed herein, it-

was found that a six (6) to (5) speed ratio of the rolls 19 and 18 disposed one above the other with aligned diameters of the rolls at about 60 degrees to the horizontal, gave excellent results in volume and character of product. B011 19 is rotated preferably at 975 revolutions per minute and roll 18 at 1175 revolutions per minute. In that device the teeth on the rolls extended about the respective rolls in opposite directions. Such teeth on commercial rolls are spiral. The spirals on the rolls used tend to move the cotton mass in opposite directions.

The rolls 18, 19, impart motion to the mass of material in the direction of the arrows shown above said rolls on the hopper in Fig. 1, for rotating the mass of material in the hopper above said rolls. The mass of material preferably has substantially unconfined rotary movements in said hopper. being urged toward the rolls by gravity, in the exemplification stated. The surface movements of the rolls, urge similar movement upon the mass, which is also deflected away from the roll 18 by the transverse vertical partition 15, the mass continuing in its movement, and the moving surface of the mass being again directed toward the rolls by the front wall 13 and the inclined bafile 16. I i

[The teeth or spurs on the agitator and picker rolls apparently cooperate in the fol lowing manner. It is believed that a buoyant action results from the rotation of the mass in the hopper 11, that the agitator roll not only assists the picker roll in revolving the massbut also partly extricates individual fibers from the mass, thereby making it possible for the teeth on the picker roll to subsequently withdraw such loosely held fibers and to deliver the released fibers in a webto the cylinder 21, that functions primarily as a conveyor, or at most as a supplemental carding element. It is believed that fibers, held tightly by themass cannot be removed by the picker roll alone, because the rotating mass tends to carry along any tightly held fibers, rather than that the engagement of fibers securely held to the mass 1 v and engaged by the teeth on the picker roll would check the movement of the mass" to permit succeeding teeth on the picker roll to engage such securely held fibers to assist in withdrawing the fibers from the mass. This appears to be the gist of the operation, viz, any fibers or linters, not suiiiciently free from the max will not detach themselves from the mass, but must move with the mass until adjoining fibers and linters have been withdrawn-to release the fibers that were previously secured to the mass and could not be released by the action of single teeth on the picker roll. The product is so well fleeced, that the suggested explanation seems plausible andcorrect- In other carding or Garnett devices the tendency is tosecurely hold a little mass of fibers by teeth" on one roll and to pullifibers loose'from the secured mass by engagement of numerous teeth on an adjoining roll. The difference seems to be that between forcefully pulling fibers from a mass, as practiced in old style machines, and working the mass by repeated engagement of single fibers of an unsecured mass, and directing centrifugal action upon the mass and fibers until the fibers gradually are-loosened and are released from the mass and may then be carried away from the hopper by the teeth of the picker roll.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device for separating fibers from a mass of fibrous material, the combination of a hopper comprising walls, a pair of which extend downwardly and are spaced at their lower ends for providing a discharge opening between them, a picker roll adjacent the lower endof one of said pair of walls, an agitator roll adjacent the lower end ofthe other of said pair'ofwalls, both of the rolls being located at said opening and cooperating with the walls for precluding discharge of material between either of said walls and its said adjacent roll, the rolls being so disposed adjacent one another, that they jointly support the mass within the hopper, and means for rotating each of the rolls in such direction and at such rate as to cause rapid rotation of the mass above the picker roll, to cause the picker roll to pick or separate loose fibers from the-mass and to feed them between the rolls, to dash the mass against the hop,

a mass of fibrous material, the combination of a hopper comprising walls, a pair of which extend downwardly and are spaced at their lower ends for providing a discharge opening between them, a picker roll adjacent the lower end of one of said pair of walls, an agitator roll adjacent the lower end of the other of said pair of walls, both of the rolls being located at said opening and cooperating with the walls'for preeluding discharge of material between either of said walls and its respective adjacent roll, the rolls being so disposed adjacent one another, that-they jointly support the mass within the hopper, and means for rotating each of the rolls in such direction and at such rate as to cause brealnn up of any lumps, lo'oseningup the mass, eeping the mass in loose moving condition and causing the picker roll to pick or separate loose fibers from the mass and to feed them between the rolls.

3. In a device for separating fibers from a mass of fibrous material, the combination of a hopper having a discharge opening in its walls, a picker roll adjacent an end of said hopper walls, an agitator roll adjacent another end of the hopper walls, both of the rolls being located at said opening and cooperating with the walls for precluding discharge of material between either of said wall ends and its respective adj acent'roll, the rolls being so disposed adjacent one another, that they jointly support the mass within the hopper, and means for rotating each of'the rolls in such direction and at such rate as to cause breaking and loosening of the mass and keeping the mass in loose moving condition above the picker roll, to cause the picker roll to pick or separate loose fibers from the mass and to feedthem between the rolls.

4:. In a device for separating fibers from a mass of fibrous material, the combination of'a hopper comprising walls, a pair of which extend downwardly and are spaced at their lower ends for providing a discharge opening between'them, a pickerroll adjacent the lower end of one of said pair of walls, an agitator roll adjacentthe lower end of the other of said pair of walls, both of the rolls being located at said opening and cooperating with'the wallsfor precluding discharge of material between either of said walls and its respective adjacent roll, the rolls being so disposed adjacent one another, that they jointly support the mass within the hopper, and means for rotating each of the rolls in such direction and at such rate as to cause rapid rotation of the mass above the picker roll, to cause the rolls, and to throw the separated fibers that have passed between the rolls, outwardly from said picker roll. 1

5. In a device for separating fibers from a mass of fibrous material, the combination of a hopper comprising a pair of walls and having a discharge opening between the ends-of said pair of walls, a'picker roll adjacent one end of oneof said pair of walls, said wall extending insubstantial alignment with a diameter of the picker roll,an agitator roll adjacent the end of the second of the pair of walls, saidsecond wall extending in substantial alignment with a diameter of the agitator roll, both the rolls being located at said discharge opening and co- 0 crating with the walls for precluding dis cl iarge of material between each of said walls and its respective adjacent roll, the rollsbeing so disposed adjacentone another that they jointly support the mass within the ho per, and means for rotating each of the m in such direction and at such rate as to cause rotation andtbreaking up of the m above the icker roll, to cause the iclrer roll to pic or separate loose fibers roin the mass, to feed them between the rolls, and to throw the separated fibers that have passed between the rolls, outwardly from slicker a In a evioe for separating fibers from mm of fibrous material, the combination oii'ea =hop 1-, com rising walls, a pair of which w exten downwardly and have lowerends spaced for providing a disopening between them and which Wallsfif continued, would meet at an acute angle, a picker roll and an agitator roll both located at said discharge opening and substantiall one-half of each of said rolls being enc osed within the included angle iol-med at the apex of said pair of walls, and means for rotating each of the rolls in such direction and at such rate of speed as because b up of the mass above the picker roll, to cause the picker roll to pick or separate .loose fibers from the mass, to feed-the separated fibers between the rolls and to throw the separated fibers, that have passed between the rolls, outwardly from hid ieker roll. 7. a device for separating fibers from of fibrous material, the combination eiahopper comprisingimperforate walls, a s o which imperforate walls extend z nmidly anddxhave gheir lower ends or rovi a ischar e openin btweentherh and w lfich walls, it continue meetat an acute angle, a pickerroll 0 an agitator roll both located at said dischar- 0 ning and substantially onehflfrofiac of 'said rolls being enclosed the included angle formed at the apex of said pair of walls, and means for as sachet the rolls in such direction said at such rate of 5 ed as to cause rotabreaking up an loosening up of the mass above the icker roll, to cause the or separateloose fibers 'cker roll to pic 5D gem the mass, to feed the separated fibers between the rolls and to throw the separatedfibers, that have assed between the rolls 1 outwardly from said picker roll.

w---*8. 'In e device for separating fibers from s5 0 mass of fibrous material, the combination iotahnp r com rising walls having their lowers sp for roviding a discharge spelling, a toothed ic er roll and a toothed agitator roll locate at said discharge open- I ke ing, the" teeth of said rolls being pointed,

oneiench of the rollstcooperating with the Iowerend of a different one of thehopper Halls for precluding discharge of material p tion and at such rate as to cause rapid rotabetween such walls and said rolls, the'rolls eaheing so disposed adjacent one another,

that they, jointly support the mass within the hopper and the points of the teeth on one of the rolls pro ectin forwardly and the points of the teeth of t e other roll projectmg rearwardly and so related that loose fibers may pass between the teeth, and means for rotatin each of the rollsm the same direction w ereby adjacent portions of the rolls move in opposite'directions, and at such rate as to cause rapidrotation of the mass above the picker roll, to cause the picker roll to pick or separate loose fibers from the mass, to feed them between the teeth of the rolls and to throw the separated fibers that have passed between the rolls,

located at said openin and cooperating with I the walls for preclu ing dischar e of ma terial between either of said wal and its respective adjacent roll, the rolls being so disposed adjacent one another that they jointly'support the mass within the ho per, and means for rotating each of the ro 111 such direction and at such rate as to cause rapid rotation of the mass above the picker roll, to cause the picker roll to pick or separate loose fibers from the mass and to feed the loose fibers between the rolls, to

dash the mass against the converging walls and to throw the separated fibers, that have passed between the rolls,outwardly from said picker roll.

10. In a felting machine, the combination with a main cyhnder and means cooperatreparing and delivering fibrous material to the cylinder and comprising a hopper having walls, a pair of which walls conver upon one another and are spaced at their closest portions for providin a discharge opening between them, a pic er roll adjacent oneof said pair of walls and spaced from the cylinder so that the c linder can not remove fibers from the pic er roll, an agitator roll adjacent the other of said pair 0 walls, the rolls being both located at said opening and coo ratinghwith the walls for precluding discharge of material between either of said walls and its respective adjacent roll, the rolls being so disposed adjacent one another that they jointly sup-- mgi therewith for felting fibrous material ode vered to the cylinder, of means for ort the masswithinzthe be per, and means I or rotating each of the rol s in suchdireccause the picker roll to pick or separate loose fibers from the mass and to feed them between the rolls, to dash the mass against the converging walls and to detach and throw the separated fibers, that have passed between the rolls, outwardly from said picker roll and onto the cylinder.

11. In a felting machine the combination of a hopper for material to be felted, comprising a pair of downwardly converging walls, spaced at their lower ends for providing a discharge opening, a toothed roll and an agitator roll in said opening, the one of said pair of converging walls terminating adjacent the toothed roll and cooperating therewith for precluding discharge of'material between said roll and said wall, the second of said pair of converging walls terminating adjacent the agitator roll and cooperating therewith forprecluding discharge of material between said agitator roll and said-second of the pair of converg ing walls, the rolls being so disposed adjacent one another, that they jointly support the mass within the hopper, means for rotating each of the rolls in such direction and at such rate as to cause rapid rotation of the mass above the toothed roll, to cause the toothed roll to pick or separate loose fibers from the mass and to feed them between the rolls, and felting means for operation on the fibers fed between the rolls.

12. In a felting machine the combination of a hopper for material to be felted, comprising a pair of downwardly extending walls spaced at their lower ends for providing a discharge opening, a toothed roll and an agitator roll in said opening, the one of said pair of walls terminating adjacent the toothed roll and cooperating therewith for precludin discharge of material between said rol andvsaid wall, the second of said pair of walls terminating adjacent the agitator roll and cooperating therewith for precluding discharge of the material between said agitator roll and the said second of said pair of walls, the rolls being so disposed adjacent one another that they jointly support the mass within the hopper, means for rotating each of the rolls in such direction andatsuch rate as to cause breaking up and loosening of the mass, to cause the toothed roll to pick or separate loose fibers from the mass and to feed them between the rolls, and felting means for operation on the fibers fed between therolls.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 16th day of May,

ELMER T. WUEST. 

